Does it feel like a losing battle sometimes? Don’t worry, there are ways to control these little creatures.
I’m not a fan of using pesticides or any kind of toxic poison in the garden unless it is really necessary. Most of the time there are harmless alternatives that can do the trick.
I don’t mean I like the taste of them in garlic butter, I mean I like them as interesting little creatures. When I observe them, I love the way their little long eyes move about like small antennas.
They curiously poke the air and then quickly disappear inside their shell when sensing danger. Slugs may not be as cute, but I think of them as divorced snails, shuffling along and complaining that their partner ‘got the house’.
As much as I get angry when my plants have been attacked by them, I know they are part of nature and the eco system.
I don’t want to use slug pellets because they are poisonous to birds and other wildlife. Instead I have tried alternative organic methods to control them and most of them are home-made, from things that you can find in your kitchen or easily bought online or from garden centres.
Slugs can be a major nuisance for alfalfa farmers, destroying crops and reducing yields With their voracious appetites and ability to reproduce rapidly, slug infestations can quickly get out of hand However, there are several effective methods alfalfa growers can use to control these slimy pests and protect their crops.
Identifying Slug Damage
The first step is learning how to identify slug damage on your alfalfa plants. Look for the telltale signs
- Irregular holes in leaves, usually near the edges.
- Slime trails on leaves or stems.
- Chewed or decaying plant material.
Check the base of plants and undersides of leaves for slugs themselves. They tend to feed at night and hide during the day, so inspect plants in the early morning or evening when slugs are most active.
Preventive Measures
Implementing preventive measures is key to avoiding major slug infestations:
- Eliminate hiding spots by keeping the field free of residue, weeds, and debris.
- Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to keep foliage dry.
- Rotate alfalfa fields with non-host crops like corn or wheat.
- Consider slug-resistant alfalfa varieties.
- Raise beds or grow in containers to make it harder for slugs to access plants.
While not foolproof, these tips can reduce the likelihood of slug problems developing.
Physical Removal
Manually removing slugs is an organic, non-toxic solution. Check plants daily and handpick any slugs, dropping them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them. This works best for small gardens rather than large-scale alfalfa fields.
Traps
Traps are an easy, eco-friendly way to capture slugs. Sink shallow dishes of beer into the soil around plants. Slugs are attracted to the yeasty smell but will drown once they fall in. A simple board or shingle laid on the ground also makes an effective trap that you can check underneath.
Natural Predators
Encouraging natural predators like frogs, toads, snakes, beetles, centipedes, and ground beetles can reduce slug populations Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that will kill these beneficial species You can also purchase predators like decollate snails, praying mantis egg cases, or nematodes.
Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around plants deter slugs. The sharp edges of this chalky powder damage their soft bodies, causing dehydration and death. Reapply after rain or irrigation. Wear a mask when handling to avoid inhaling it.
Copper Barriers
Copper tape, flashing, or pipe encircling plants blocks slugs, which receive an unpleasant shock when contacting copper. Keep the barrier tight to the ground with no gaps where slugs can pass underneath.
Iron Phosphate Baits
Scatter iron phosphate bait pellets on the soil. When slugs eat the bait, it causes them to stop feeding, become less mobile, and die within 3-6 days. Iron phosphate is non-toxic to pets, wildlife, and humans. Reapply bait after rain or every 2 weeks.
Sluggo
Sluggo is a popular iron phosphate-based bait that comes in pellet form for broadcast application or a liquid concentrate for spraying. Apply it around the perimeter of fields or pots and replace bait every 2-4 weeks. Sluggo is approved for organic farming.
Metaldehyde Baits
Metaldehyde is a highly toxic slug bait. It lures slugs in with an appetizing scent and poisons them when ingested. Use extreme caution with metaldehyde products, wearing gloves and keeping them away from children and pets. Never apply directly on plants.
Biological Controls
Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacteria that kills slugs when ingested, but is safe for other organisms. Sprinkle B.t. pellets around plants or spray the liquid form. It must be reapplied after rain. Nematodes are another biological option that parasitize slug larvae.
Chemical Pesticides
In severe infestations, farmers may turn to stronger chemicals like methiocarb, carbaryl, or metaldehyde sprays and dusts applied directly to plants. Always follow product instructions carefully and take proper safety precautions.
Ongoing Monitoring
Keep monitoring plants even after implementing control measures to spot any remaining slugs quickly. Consistent inspection and fast action are vital for staying on top of slugs in an alfalfa crop.
By taking an integrated approach using several methods together, alfalfa growers can successfully manage slugs. Focus on prevention first, then implement organic controls and targeted chemical intervention only as needed. With persistence, vigilance, and the right techniques, you can keep these slimy pests from damaging your alfalfa plants.
Natural Slug Control Methods
This is one of my preferred methods of slug and snail control. Nematodes are tiny organisms that basically cause the death of slugs by bacterial poisoning and are completely harmless to pets or children. They are not cheap, but they are very effective. The only problem I found is that as my garden is not small, I didn’t buy enough to cover all of it. But I would say that it’s the most effective way to control slugs. It’s not as effective on snails though, as they live over ground and the nematodes work underground.
I have tried this and it was a great success. You fill small traps with beer and sink them into the soil so that the edges are flush with the ground. The snails and slugs are attracted by the beer and fall into the trap, literally. However, you do have to have a strong stomach when emptying the traps. The sight and smell of stale beer and dead slugs is not something I will remember fondly. For that reason, I haven’t used this method again.
This is something I haven’t tried myself, but I thought it was worth mentioning as I’ve heard other people have had some success with this. All it involves is scattering used coffee grounds around any plants you want to protect and apparently the caffeine in the grounds is toxic to slugs. With the amount of coffee I drink, I doubt I’ll run out of supplies so I’ll give it a try and report back to you.
I must admit, I haven’t had much success with this one. You can buy sticky copper tape from most garden centres or even online and you stick it to the rim of plant pots that you want to protect. The copper emits an electrical charge when the slugs or snails try to cross over it to get to the plant. That’s the theory but my slugs and snails must be made of sterner stuff than others because they didn’t find this a problem. So this method gets a thumbs down from me unfortunately. If you have had any success with this, I would love to hear from you!
This works as a barrier method around plant pots. Just smear a good layer of Vaseline around the rim of the plant pot and this stops the slugs from getting to the plant. If you don’t have Vaseline to hand, Petroleum jelly or Vicks will do just as well.
A very simple way to make a trap for slugs and snails is to use half a scooped out grapefruit peel and place it face down near the plants you want to protect. Slugs like dark damp places and will find their way into the hollowed out grapefruit. Check the next day and see if there are any snails or slugs underneath. Apparently you could also use half oranges or lemons. Personally, I had all sorts of other bugs in them but found no slugs. Not sure if this has worked well for others but it’s an easy thing to try.
This is a relatively easy way to control slugs and snails but also time-consuming. Snails and slugs tend to come out in the evening, especially if it’s damp and this is a good time to go out with a container and a torch and just hand-pick your little enemies.
A very easy and beneficial way to control slugs and snails is to attract wildlife that feeds on them. Attracting birds by providing bird tables and water is a good way of controlling their numbers. If you can build a pond in your garden and attract newts and toads who love to eat them, you can control their numbers. Hedgehogs are also great animals to attract in your garden and will help keep the snail numbers down.
Crushed egg shells
This is so far the best method that has worked for me, together with the nematodes. Every time I make an omelette or use eggs, I keep the shells to dry on a container that I keep especially for this purpose. Once they are completely dry (some people dry them in the oven), you can crush them finely and store in an airtight container. I find a pestle and mortar easiest to grind them. Once I have a good quantity of crushed egg shells, I sprinkle a good layer around plants that are vulnerable to slugs and snails. In my garden, lupins are the slugs favourite, but last year they managed to grow nicely thanks to the crushed egg shells around them. Find how to prepare your egg shells and other useful tips here.
How to Stop Slugs Eating Your Plants (100% Organic)
FAQ
How do you kill slugs but not plants?
What can I spray on my plants to keep slugs away?
Can plants recover from slugs?
How do I get rid of slugs in my garden?
Salt and baking soda are simple and accessible household items that prove a simple solution to your slug problem. Each of the ingredients reacts violently with slugs’ bodies and quickly kills them. 2. Set beer traps For this method, you can either place half-full beer cans under each of your plants or fill a shallow dish with beer.
How to prevent slugs?
Let’s look briefly at some of the best ways to prevent slugs. Copper barriers may prevent slugs from crawling up plants to eat their leaves, flowers, stems, and fruit. Some say that placing copper wire around plants stops slugs from coming close. The copper reacts with the slug’s slime, giving it a shock.
Are slugs destroying your garden?
Slippery, slimy and squishy, these soft-bodied pests munch their way through plantings, sometimes leaving behind holey leaves, other times wiping out entire beds of seedlings. Because they tend to feed at night, it can be tough to diagnose whether slugs in the garden are the culprit responsible for plant damage.
Does coffee kill slugs?
This tip comes in both lethal and non-lethal varieties. Cold coffee is a good way to either deter or kill slugs, depending on how you apply it to your garden. Spray your plants and soil with cold coffee to repel slugs, as the bitterness keeps them away. To kill the slugs, spray the coffee directly on the slugs’ bodies.